Joel McHale hosting 'The Late Late Show'? Only if 'Community' is canceled

Share this:

Could Joel McHale be the next host of “The Late Late Show” after Craig Ferguson leaves in December? Two things would have to happen: “Community” would have to be canceled, and CBS would have to offer McHale the job.

“No one’s called,” McHale said. “I don’t think I could even do it with ‘Community.’ I’m under contract. I don’t think legally I could.”

Since “Community” airs on NBC, CBS’ biggest late-night rival, that makes sense. The renewal of “Community” for Season 6, however, has not yet been determined.

There’s one more reason why McHale might not actually be on the shortlist at CBS. With only white men dominating the late-night line-up on all of the networks — and on cable, once Chelsea Handler leaves E! — CBS is under definite pressure to introduce some diversity with Ferguson’s replacement. McHale really does not meet that for the network.